TikTok remains unavailable for download in U.S. app stores despite President Donald Trump’s executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban, as Apple and Google maintain restrictions on the popular social media platform.

App Store Status and User Impact

Existing TikTok users regained access after a brief 12-hour shutdown during the weekend, but new downloads remain blocked. Apple’s App Store displays a notice stating, “TikTok and other ByteDance apps are not available in the country or region you’re in,” while Google Play Store shows, “Downloads for this app are paused due to current U.S. legal requirements.”

As Reuters reports, the situation has created a secondary market, with some sellers listing devices containing pre-installed versions of TikTok on eBay for prices reaching $50,000. Over 200 iPhone and Android devices with TikTok already downloaded were available on the platform as of Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Legal Framework and Corporate Response

The restrictions stem from legislation passed by Congress requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban. While the law only mandated removing TikTok from app stores if ByteDance missed the sale deadline, the company opted for a complete shutdown before restoring service.

According to analysts cited by Reuters, Google and Apple may be awaiting additional legal protections before lifting their restrictions. The companies could face penalties for distributing the app under current regulations.

Potential Buyers and Government Involvement

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive action that delayed the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days to enable more time for a solution to the platform’s U.S. operations. 

The Project Liberty consortium, led by businessman Frank McCourt, has made a formal offer valuing TikTok without its algorithm at approximately $20 billion. Trump has expressed openness to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s acquisition intentions, while Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison remains in consideration, with Oracle currently housing most of TikTok’s servers.

Reuters notes that China’s foreign ministry indicated new flexibility toward a U.S. transaction, stating that companies “decide independently” on operational matters and deals.

User Response and Platform Changes

According to Reuters, the service disruption and ownership uncertainty have prompted mixed reactions from TikTok’s user base. Content creators report changes in the platform’s algorithm since its return, while users explore various methods to regain access. 

Users abroad have attempted to download the app by changing their device locations, though many express reluctance to employ VPN solutions. Travel content creators, including 29-year-old Lauren Scott, report unsuccessful attempts to access the app while traveling internationally.

The ban’s foundation rests on national security concerns that TikTok could enable China to collect data on Americans or manipulate content. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers continue to advocate for ByteDance’s divestiture of the platform. Trump has suggested the U.S. government could become a half-owner of TikTok’s U.S. operations in exchange for maintaining the app’s availability while warning of potential tariffs on China if Beijing fails to approve a deal.

“I deactivated my account after it was ‘back’ this morning. I’m done with [Trump] taking credit for the messes he starts,” TikTok user Janel Samson wrote on Threads.